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Mental health centers to treat Syria's youngest victims

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

- Project provides psychological treatment for children who suffer mental issues due to ongoing civil war.

ALEPPO, Syria (AA) – Four mental health centers have recently opened their doors to children in the Syrian city of Aleppo to provide psychological treatment for those suffering from mental problems because of the ongoing civil war.

Syria Relief, a U.K. based non-governmental organization, carried out the project in Aleppo and plans to establish more centers in other opposition-controlled areas.

The centers, which can accommodate 500 children each, provide normal living conditions for youngsters, allowing them to enjoy their hobbies and activities.

A team of Anadolu Agency journalists visited one of the mental centers whose staff requested anonymity of its location, because they were worried about becoming a target for the Assad regime’s air forces.

“Syrian children suffered most from the civil war’s airstrikes, barrel bombs and explosions,” Sami Gaafar, the center’s director, told The Anadolu Agency. “We are trying to provide a normal life for them even for a few hours a week.”

Many of the young patients suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Amr Dadis, a psychologist at the center.

Syria’s civil war has resulted in the death of 350,000 people and displaced almost half of the country's population so far.